So it turns out a sour beer brewed with Meyer lemons, Soriachi Ace hops, and Himalayan pink salt tastes remarkably like a straightforward (if a bit strong) gose. Not that I’m complaining; Barrel 39 has a vicious tart streak, citric and biting, a lovely acidic abrasiveness making it a particularly bracing sour beer. Ugly, though, and the texture’s a bit harsh, spiky with a cheap sparkling wine feel, nothing to write home about. Yet the taste’s solid; lemon and salt with a yeasty tart finish and the slightest hint of bitterness on the fade. Gains a faint lemondrop sweetness as it warms, and the edges of horseblanket begin to creep in on the finish. Better than the score, but I can’t up the appearance or palate any further and feel good about myself.

Sampled from the bottle at ABR 2016. Pours a hazy light gold with a white head that lasts throughout the beer. Aroma has a bit of eggshell and tart lemon with a bit of straw supporting. Flavor works better with tart lemon, tart citrus and light wheat supporting.

This beer pours a clear copper-orange color with a thin white had that dissipates quickly to an outer ring. Short strings of lacing on the glass. Aroma of berries, yeast and malt. Medium body with flavors of semi-tart blueberries, funky yeast and biscuit malt. The finish is mildly sour with a blueberry and vinous oak aftertaste. Pretty good overall.

[2/9/17] Draught at George Keeley in New York City. Deep golden-copper. Brett, yeast, fruity esters, some oak, mildly tart, medium-bodied.

This brew is an inky black color with a medium foamy light beige head that recedes quickly to an outer ring. Small patches of lacing on the glass. Aroma of oak, chocolate and malt. Medium to full body with flavors of oak, chocolate malt and semisweet vanilla. Some funky fruit in the background that detracts from the character. Finishes on the thin side with a fruity and chocolatey aftertaste. Doesn’t live up to the promise of the description unfortunately, but a decent beer.

24th November 2016
Grand tasting at Craft Islington with Hackobock. Thanks to Paul for the can. Hazy amber beer, small pale cream colour head. Palate is light and dry and has good carbonation. Smooth light malts, trace of malt cream. Tangy floral mid accompanies a strong vibrant wine. Traces of white wine vinegar and berries. White winey finish. Very winey. Nice.

Tap at GABF. Pours a dark amber with no head. The aroma is coffee, dark fruit, oak. Medium body, roast, licorice, molasses, oak, very sour, good.

Tap at GABF. Pours a dark purple with medium pinkish head that lasts. The aroma is berry, oak, funk, grape. Thin body, funky, oak, grape, berry, vinous, dry finish, very good.

Tap at GABF. Pours a hazy gold with no head. The aroma is funk, oak, sour fruit. Thin body, oak, funk, apple skin, nice tartness, very good.